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| Finding the way . . . |
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Finding meaning and purpose along the way . . .
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The last battle of the war is your healing.
Every time we make a change or transition in life there is a process which influences how we handle the outcome. We begin with an expectation (an illusion) about how things will be; then we find that the outcome is seldom the way we anticipated it would be. (2) We are left with a sense of disillusionment - "this is not the way I thought it was going to be!" Next, (3) is how we integrate (make the best) out of the situation. This is called resiliency, "What can I do to make the best of this situation?". Life after combat may leave you disillusioned. During combat we have seen things differently. Survival changes from the Hoah! to "who's got my back?" We see things we never anticipated; everyone comes home changed - some more than others. We may feel a sense of betrayal at many levels. Those who understand best are those we served with over there.
While in the disillustionment phase a person often becomes depressed with low motivation. It is easy to feel lost or overwhelmed with the situation. There is often a sense of frustration, maybe even helplessness. Soldiers back from deployment sometimes feel this way, especially if they feel their leadership failed them. The challenge is to develop coping mechanisms to get beyond the situation.
Viktor Frankl wrote a book about his struggle to survive in a Nazi concentration camps between 1942 and 1945. His parents, brother and pregnant wife died in those camps. He developed an approach which suggests we cannot avoid suffering, but we can find how to cope with it, find meaning in it, and move forward with a renewed sense of purpose. This is expressed in his book Man's Search for Meaning.
PTSD has been called a "soul wound." It wounds deeper than the physical, even the emotional - it wounds the human spirit. Such woundedness leaves soldiers trying to make sense of war and peace and where they fit. Social isolation is a frequent result of combat trauma experiences, yet such isolation further wounds a person's spiritual nature. Our spirituality allows us to reach out (transcend) ourselves to others including the God of our understanding. We don't push religion; we do recognize and encourage persons in understanding that spirituality can be an important part of healing. Spirituality can provide hope in the midst of struggling with life's limitations. Our spirituality grounds us in knowing we are valued and honored. Soldier Center offers an opportunity for a turning point - a time to begin to heal by coming out of the darkness into the light of hope and healing. It can be helpful to seek wisdom and support from others who can help you get through the situation you face. There was a time when communities had sufficient social activities among people; we knew where to turn to seek answers and encouragement. These days we frequently find ourselves socially isolated - alone. It can be helpful to seek counsel from others you can trust - perhaps a coach, a mentor or experienced person you can contact, maybe a pastor or spiritual leader.
Other resources include:
Military OneSource (available 24/7) (800) 342-9647.
National Suicide Prevention hotline (800) 273-TALK (8255).
Please know the personnel of Soldier Center care about your well being. We are available during office hours at (931) 553-6981.
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Soldier Center
915 Tiny Town Road, Suite D
Clarksville, TN 37043
(931) 553-6981
Email:HurleyEC@gmail.com
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